3/7/13 11:36 AM

Kessil has announced an externally controllable version of the popular Kessil A350W.

The A360W wide lens version and A360N narrow lens vesrsion have a slightly greater output in the balanced color spectrum setting and a significantly greater output when tuned toward the blue or white ends of the spectrum. Unlike the A350W that has separate controls for the blue LEDS and white LEDs the A360W has one control for color balance and one control for brightness. The A360W also has an Outboard Controller Input allowing you to control both the brightness and color temperature from a Neptune Apex or Reef Keeper 2 Aquarium Controller. The A360W can also daisy chain up to four units so a single Kessil can control the others or an outboard controller can control up to four Kessil A360W’s at the same time. With the Neptune Apex controller (and I believe the Reef Keeper 2 as well) you can set the light to start with a low intensity bluer light, ramp up during the day to a whiter full brightness, and then reverse towards the evening. Retail pricing on the new Kessil A360W will be $449.99 and you can pre-order these at Aquarium Specialty and orders will begin shipping no later than the week of March 25th.

Kessil Press Release:

RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA (March 6, 2013) - Kessil® Lighting, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-quality LED aquarium lights, proudly announces the release of the A360N and A360W models. Based on the award-winning A350/A350W platform, winner of the Reef Builders 20...

Tags:

5/21/13 11:33 AM

Yesterday we ran another T5 vs. LED comparison but this time we put the T5 lighting up against another Orphek product. This time we compared the existing T5 lighting to that of the Orphek PR72. This exhibit is about 200 gallons at the same public aquarium. Below is a short video that was shot with an iphone 4. After the break we will post another video clip of the 55,000 gallon display with the Orphek DIF-100 pendant.

ABOUT THE ORPHEK PR72 LED PENDANT:

The Orphek PR72 Reef LED Pendant is a member of the new PR72 family of LED Pendants. Its design goal was to aid hobbyists in growing beautiful corals in medium sized aquariums or larger systems when multiple units are used, and coral fragment tanks without relying on energy wasting metal halide or low PAR florescent tubes.

The LEDs were selected from the same LED bins used for the PR156XP fixture to duplicate the PUR lighting spectrum which is beneficial and necessary for growing corals, clams, and marine plants. The highly efficient Mean Well LED Drivers use on the PR156XP and DIF series pendants are used here as well, no shortcuts were taken. The PR72 Reef LED Pendant will produce High PAR/PUR levels. The pendents offer plenty of PAR/PUR for growing all types of corals because the light energy is concentrated on the needed and desirable PUR spectrum while eliminating LEDs that emit non-essential wavelengths.

The PR72 Reef LED Pendant is a plug and play and the dimmable Mean Well LED Driver allows us to configure the PR72...

Tags:

5/31/13 10:52 AM

The new Aqua Illumination Hydra LED Fixture combines the controls of the AI Vega and the unmatched power of the AI Sol at $399.00 per LED module. The Aqua Illumination Hydra brings a new level of performance to the AI product line. Available in a black or white case like the rest of the AI LED line, the AI Hydra features wireless connectivity out of the box.

Unlike the AI Sol Blue & White, the Hydra uses 80 degree lenses to provide uniform light output and color blending. At a maximum of 95 watts from the wall, it follows in the family’s efficient footsteps.

LEDs

The AI Hydra utilizes the latest LED technology from leading manufacturers, arranged to provide the best performance.

Power

Combining the control of the AI Vega and unmatched power of the AI Sol, the AI Hydra brings a new level of performance. Unlike the Sol Blue & White, the Hydra uses 80 degree lenses to provide uniform light output and color blending. At a maximum of 95 watts from the wall, it follows in the family’s efficient footsteps.

The Hydra fills the visible light spectrum with light to spare. We set the standard in LEDs, and have taken our years of experience and customer feedback to provide an even wider spectral output with the AI Hydra by adding 415nm Violet and 400nm UV LEDs to the mix.

Tags:

8/22/13 9:26 AM

By now you may have heard about the new Aqua Illumination Director LED lighting controller. The AI Director is currently being Beta tested by several users and it appears to be in the final phases of testing. Aquarium Specialty has placed it's inital stock order for the AI Director and they expect to begin taking pre-orders in the next week or so. If you wish to get on the pre-order list then please email or call Aquarium Specialty to get in line for the 1st shipment. Here's more about the Aqua Illumination Director and why we are excited to see this product hitting the market.

Are you heading to MACNA next week? If so then be sure to stop by the Aqua Illumination booth and check out the Director. After you see it in action then head over to the Aquarium Specialty booth to pre-order one at the $99.00 introductory price. No worries if you can't make it to the show. You can still place pre-orders though the Aquarium Specialty website or hop on the Pay the Day it Ships list by calling Aquarium Specialty.

Unmatched feature set:

The new standard in control platforms

Control any AI wirelessly enabled device

The AI Director can be connected via 802.11 Wifi (with included dongle) or Ethernet

You may also access the AI Director via your local network

Manage 10 tanks with up to 30 lights with one Director

LED control features...

Weather

Realistic cloud sweeps

Lightning Storms

Provided an Internet connection, the Director can pull live weather from user configured locations on ...

Tags:

11/1/13 9:34 AM

One of the most anticipated releases of 2013 is here, the Aqua Illumination Director. The AI Director is the ultimate control platform that can control your Aqua Illumination LED fixtures from anywhere in the world with your smart phone, PC or tablet at a very reasonable $99.00 price tag. Aquarium Specialty expects the 1st delivery to arrive no later than November 12th but they could land as soon as November 8th. Feel free to pre-order now. Aquarium Specialty promisses to ship all pre-orders the day that inventory arrives.

Features

The new standard in control platforms

Control any AI wirelessly enabled device

The AI Director can be connected via 802.11 Wifi (with included dongle) or Ethernet

Connect to the Director through the cloud with myAI

You may also access the AI Director via your local network

Manage 10 tanks with up to 30 lights with one Director

LED Controls

Weather

Realistic cloud sweeps

Lightning Storms

*Provided an Internet connection, the Director can pull live weather from user configured locations on Earth

Lunar Cycle

Coral Acclimation

Test Run

Plays your entire day's timer configuration in fast forward.

Dynamically recognize changes in LED configurations using PowerPuck™ technology.

Up to 100 control points per LED color per group for a given day.

Tags:

1/21/14 2:29 PM

The new Build My LED XB Series (very high output) are now be offered for sale from Build My LED (BML) and Aquarium Specialty. These unique strip LED lights offer special proprietary optics not found in other aquarium LED lights. The BML optics spread the light in such a way that it reduces dark shadows under overhangs giving the aquarium a more uniform lighting appearance.

The BML LED light strip are available in 4 stock colors including; 12000K, 14000K, Super Actinic and Purple Wave which produces a visible light spectrum ver similar to the Korallin Zucht Fiji Purple and the ATI Purple Plus T5 lamp. The strips are available in 12", 18", 24", 30", 36", 48", 60" and 72" lengths and they can be tank mounted with the option tank mount bracket or they can be hung with a BML hanging kit for easy hight adjustment and light spread. Optics options are also available in 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 degree configurations. We have included a table to help you decide what optics are best for your particular needs. Keep in mind that this is just a recommendation and it's possible you may decide to go with different optics for your unique setup. Other than the 4 available stock spectrums, Build My LED also offers custom spectrums but most people will find that the stock configurations are just what is needed for coral growth and coloration. For pricing on the XB Series and standard series BML fixtures please visit here.

Several videos are available on the above link and the one below are so...

Tags:

2/15/14 2:14 PM

The new Build My LED XB Series (very high output) are now be offered for sale from Build My LED (BML) and Aquarium Specialty. These unique strip LED lights offer special proprietary optics not found in other aquarium LED lights. The BML optics spread the light in such a way that it reduces dark shadows under overhangs giving the aquarium a more uniform lighting appearance.

The BML LED light strip are available in 4 stock colors including; 12000K, 14000K, Super Actinic and Purple Wave which produces a visible light spectrum ver similar to the Korallin Zucht Fiji Purple and the ATI Purple Plus T5 lamp. The strips are available in 12", 18", 24", 30", 36", 48", 60" and 72" lengths and they can be tank mounted with the option tank mount bracket or they can be hung with a BML hanging kit for easy hight adjustment and light spread. Optics options are also available in 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 degree configurations. We have included a table to help you decide what optics are best for your particular needs. Keep in mind that this is just a recommendation and it's possible you may decide to go with different optics for your unique setup. Other than the 4 available stock spectrums, Build My LED also offers custom spectrums but most people will find that the stock configurations are just what is needed for coral growth and coloration. For pricing on the XB Series and standard series BML fixtures please visit here.

Several videos and PAR value charts are available on the individual pro...

Tags:

2/24/14 10:28 AM

Ecotech Marine and Aqua Illumination are merging the two companies together to form one dominate force in the aquarium industry. Both Aqua Illumination and Ecotech Marine are considered by many to be the best LED lighting companies available in the aquarium industry. What does this merger mean to you? Well here is what we know so.

The partnership between Ecotech Marine and AquaIllumination will provide endless opportunities for development and innovation beyond what each company already provides as individual companies. Each brand will remain a separate entity and continue to manufacture distinct product lines, but the shared ownership will allow each of us to improve and grow.

FAQs

Is either brand being dissolved?No, both brands will remain independent. This exciting merger is designed to capitalize on the operational and infrastructure advantages that result from the merger of two US based manufacturers. Product lines and branding will remain separate and occur at the separate Iowa and Pennsylvania facilities.

Will EcoTech products be sold under the AI brand or vice versa?No, the brands and products will remain independent.

Will I still be able to buy EcoTech and AI products from my favorite store?Yes, there will be no changes to retail availability. AI products will remain distributed by AI and EcoTech products will be distributed by EcoTech.

Will there be any changes to EcoTech or AI prices?No. Prices will not be impacted.

Tags:

6/30/14 10:15 AM

The new Ecotech Marine Radion XR15wPRO is here

We are pleased to announce that the Radion XR30 will be getting a new little brother! EcoTech Marine has been working tirelessly to create a new, smaller Radion LED to compliment the highly successful XR30w. The Radion XR15wPRO features the same great spectrum, same features and same warranty as the XR30wPRO. With one cluster, half the wattage, a 24" coverage area, and a lower price point, the XR15wPRO is the perfect solution for small to medium-sized tanks where the full output of the XR30w platform is not necessary.

Shipping now!

XR15wPRO FAQs:

Q: How do I pre-order and when will the fixtures begin shipping?

A: Ecotech Marine expects to begin shipping out orders by mid July and it takes 2 days for the time Ecotech ships to arrive at Aquarium Specialty. In stock now - click here.

Q: What is the MRP of the XR15wPRO?

A: $449USD

Q: What is the coverage of an XR15wPRO?

A: 2x2ft.

Q: Why is the spread almost as much as an XR30 model light?

A: Spread is more of a factor of optics than wattage or clusters. The XR15wPRO comes with Wide Angle TIR Optics installed standard so the spread from one cluster is not much less than the spread from two clusters located inches apart on an XR30. What is different however is the PAR at the same % output. You will achieve less PAR with an XR15wPRO versus an an XR30 model. The XR15wPRO is ideal for the many commercially available shallow tanks where PAR at depth is not necessary.

Tags:

6/30/14 1:18 PM

Recently we have received several customer comments and concerns regarding the Hydra vs. the Hydra TwentySix. Most of these comments suggest that the Hydra with 4 LED clusters is better than the Hydra TwentySix because it has only 2 LED clusters. The goal here is to put that perception to rest. We consulted with Joel at Aqua Illumination to better understand the rationale behind the development of the Hydra TwentySix since the Hydra was a fairly new product and still in good demand. Here's a quick look at the differences and why Aqua Illumination feels that the Hydra TwentySix is a viable alternative to the Hydra.

Hydra vs. Hydra TwentySix - key points of interest:

The AI Hydra TwentySix has 26 LEDs versus the Hydra's 20 LEDs at the same wattage. (The Hydra TwentySix is more efficient)

The LEDs on the Hydra TwentySix are in a tighter cluster which lessens the shadowing or "disco ball" effect.

The 2 LED clusters are further apart in the Hydra TwentySix VS the 2 center clusters on the Hydra. Basically, the Hydra TwentySix provides the power of each two outer clusters of the Hydra within each of its individual clusters.

The footprint of the Hydra TwentySix is 7.28"x5.375"x1.6 while the Hydra is 11.9" x 5.4" x 2.1"

What is not to love about more output over the same area in a smaller package at the same price?

BioTek Marine is currently developing a Hydra TwentySix mounting bracket similar to the HM mounting arm which presently exists for the standard Hydra fixture, but at a reduce...